WO2000004682A1 - Systeme et procede de transmission de notifications a des utilisateurs de reseau - Google Patents

Systeme et procede de transmission de notifications a des utilisateurs de reseau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000004682A1
WO2000004682A1 PCT/IL1998/000334 IL9800334W WO0004682A1 WO 2000004682 A1 WO2000004682 A1 WO 2000004682A1 IL 9800334 W IL9800334 W IL 9800334W WO 0004682 A1 WO0004682 A1 WO 0004682A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
node
utility
indication signal
transceiver
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IL1998/000334
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English (en)
Inventor
Gideon Lefeber
Eran Yariv
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NetGong Ltd
Original Assignee
NetGong Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NetGong Ltd filed Critical NetGong Ltd
Priority to AU83546/98A priority Critical patent/AU8354698A/en
Priority to PCT/IL1998/000334 priority patent/WO2000004682A1/fr
Publication of WO2000004682A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000004682A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/21—Monitoring or handling of messages
    • H04L51/224—Monitoring or handling of messages providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/51—Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/55—Push-based network services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • H04L69/30—Definitions, standards or architectural aspects of layered protocol stacks
    • H04L69/32—Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
    • H04L69/322—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions
    • H04L69/329—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
    • H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
    • H04M3/537—Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message, whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message

Definitions

  • the present invention is in the field of communication techniques and relates to a method and a system for providing a network user with a specific notification.
  • the notification comes from either another user or host facility of the network.
  • Computer networks are known systems that are widely used. It is not an exaggeration to say that almost every personal computer (PC) is the node of at least one computer network such as, for example, the "INTERNET” or "INTRANET".
  • Methods of providing a network user with automatic notifications from the network server are also known and used especially for notifying the user of the receipt of messages, which are addressed to him/her and stored in an electronic mail block of the server.
  • a successful notification requires that the user's PC be continuously connected to the network server, i.e. be in a so-called “on-line” mode of operation.
  • the "Internet” counts about 50 million users, 90% of whom operate via dial-up connections, owing to the fact that dedicated lines are prohibitively expensive for many of them.
  • Dial-up lines require repeated sporadic connections to a corresponding Internet Server Provider (ISP) in order to check electronic mail, review Newsgroup changes, perform information searching, use the Internet phone, engage in Internet chats or the like "Internet events". These periodic connections are inconvenient and often unproductive. They waste users' time and money and tie up phone lines, while clogging the lines and modems of ISPs.
  • ISP Internet Server Provider
  • Another problem that exists today is the relatively complex set of operations a user has to perform to work on-line. Indeed, the user has to connect, operate the specific application to obtain the required information, and disconnect. All these operations are semi-manual in today's popular home operation systems such as, for example, MS-Windows.
  • Novice users regard the on-line processes, for example, checking mail, as cumbersome and error prone because of busy lines, busy servers and/or slow response times, etc.
  • Even advanced users regard the on-line processes as a nuisance and try to automate them as much as possible, for example, by using scripts, automatic dialers, etc.
  • European Publication No. EP 0 736 989 discloses a system for providing so-called "off-line" notifications.
  • the system comprises a host computer and subscriber computers, wherein the subscriber computers are not connected to each other and/or to the host computer. Messages are sent from a "sender" subscriber to a "recipient” subscriber via the host computer, which is adapted for storing mail addressed to subscribers in individual mailboxes.
  • the host computer is capable of calling a phone associated with the recipient subscriber through a dialing unit whenever a new message arrives at the host computer.
  • the dialing unit is connected through a telephone line, or a public telephone network to a receiving unit located at the recipient's side.
  • the receiving unit is a specific hardware unit, which either stands alone, or is a constructional part of the recipient's PC. Even in such a case where the recipient himself directly contacts the dialing unit through a conventional modem coupled to or installed in his PC, notification arrives to the receiving unit all the same. More specifically, notification enters a call intercept unit, which is integral with the receiving unit. The receiving unit identifies that the phone call has been sent by the dialing unit of the host computer. A dedicated display device must be associated with the receiving unit for indicating to the subscriber that a notification has been received.
  • a system for transmitting notifications from a first network node to a second network node through a communication link comprising:
  • the first network node may be constituted by either the network host facility (server) or one of the network subscribers, the second network node being a subscriber.
  • the processing means may be integral with the first node, directly coupled thereto or installed as a part of a local area network (LAN) of the first node.
  • a protocol is set between the first and second nodes, according to which the first node provides the second node with notifications indicative of the certain event.
  • the event may be representative of:
  • the predetermined data may either be a message generated by a certain subscriber, or specific information generated by or inputting the first node, etc.; or
  • the processing means comprises a detector utility that continuously checks the certain database or the data stream and, upon detecting the existence of the event, generates the indication signal.
  • the term "utility" used herein signifies appropriate software solutions.
  • the indication signal may be generated each time such event is detected. Alternatively, the indication signal may be generated in response to a query signal generated by the second node and transmitted through the transceiver utility of the second node.
  • the event is detected without intervention into the existing utilities of the first node, but providing it with the processing means constituting a separate utility.
  • What is actually transmitted is an indication signal, rather than the detected changes or predetermined data itself.
  • at least the first node is provided with a time-out utility that allows the indication signal to be transmitted in a certain predetermined manner, for example during a preset time period or by a certain number of signals and pauses. This time period is substantially short in order to prevent the connection between the first and second nodes.
  • the protocol between the first and second nodes may assume the presence of a user at the second node side, who, upon receiving the notification (indication signal), may decide whether to perform a corresponding action at his side, for example, to initiate the connection with the first node or to run a specific application.
  • the indication signal is indicative of the presence of the event, which may be indicative of a reason to perform a certain action at the second node.
  • the system transceiver operates like a known modem device for transmitting and receiving call signals. Thus, the system transceiver transmits the indication signal in the form of an outgoing call signal.
  • the system transceiver may either be an external modem coupled to the processing means, or be integral with the processing means, being for example an electronic card.
  • the transceiver utility of the second node may also be a modem device. It is responsive to the outgoing call signal for generating an incoming signal, for example a call signal.
  • the transceiver utility may be associated with an external device, for example a personal computer.
  • the second node may also be provided with a time-out utility, which is either integral with or coupled to the transceiver utility. The provision of the time-out utility at the second node side enables a query signal to be generated by the second node and transmitted to the first node.
  • the system transceiver (at the first node side) has an identification means (so-called "Caller ID feature") for identifying the system transceiver (at the first node side)
  • an identification means so-called "Caller ID feature”
  • the transceiver utility of the second node may also have similar identification means.
  • the transceiver utility when identifying the first node, may present a visual message representative of the identification code (e.g. phone number) of the first node.
  • the transceiver utility may generates a specific signal (ringing) indicating that the call comes from the first node.
  • the system also comprises a destination utility having a database, which presents various transceiver utilities and associated external devices of the second node in accordance with the preferences defined by the protocol.
  • the destination utility is associated with the first node, being a constructional part of either the processing means or a separate processor coupled to the processing means.
  • the destination utility in response to the indication signal, selects the desired transceiver utility to which the indication signal is to be transmitted.
  • the system comprises, instead of or in addition to the destination utility of the first node, a similar destination utility associated with the second node.
  • a method for transmitting a notification from a first network node to a second network node through a communication link comprising the steps of:
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a conventional computer network
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram . illustrating * the main components of a notification system, according to one embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a processor unit of the system of Fig. 2;
  • Figs. 4 to 8 are block diagram illustrating the main components of notification systems, constructed according to five more embodiments of the invention, respectively;
  • Figs. 9a to 9c are flow diagrams illustrating different examples of operation of the system of Fig. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • the network 1 comprises a host facility side, generally at 2, which is interconnected between a plurality of subscribers' sides at different remote locations, of which one subscriber side 4 is specifically shown and the other subscribers' sides are generally denoted 6.
  • the host facility side 2 so-called Internet Service Provider
  • ISP Internet Protocol
  • the ISPs 10 connect the ISP 2 to various databases and subscribers' sides (not shown) for receiving various kinds of information and transmitting them to the subscribers in reply to their inquiries.
  • the ISP side 2 is typically in the form of a local area network (LAN) 11 that interconnects a server 12 with other devices, for example, other servers, generally at 13.
  • the server 12 is provided inter alia with a memory 14 for storing a reference data representative of all registered subscribers, including their electronic mail addresses, and with a conventional modem 16.
  • the modem 16 is connected to a communication link 17, such as, for example, public or private telephone networks, through a multi-channel communication port, which is not specifically shown, so as to provide for automatic call distribution.
  • the modem 16 receives and transmits incoming and outgoing calls, respectively. All these functional parts of the conventional ISP side are known per se and, therefore, need not be more specifically described.
  • the subscriber side 4 typically comprises a personal computer (PC) 18 having a display 18a, and a modem device 19, which may be of any known kind.
  • PC personal computer
  • the latter should contact the ISP 2 in a conventional manner, namely through the telephone communication link 17 in accordance with a previously estab- lished protocol between the ISP and the specific subscriber.
  • the PC 18 is conventionally provided with a software program, so-called "Client", to be executed for contacting the ISP "on-line” and obtaining required data therefrom in accordance with the protocol.
  • the subscriber Upon initiating such an "on-line" connection, the subscriber immediately receives a notification of the receipt of messages, if any, which usually appears as a visual message on the display 18a. Obviously, a vocal message may be additionally provided. It is appreciated that the notification relates to those messages, which have been received by the server 12 since the last connection with the subscriber 4.
  • the subscriber unit 4 executes a similar procedure in order to connect to the other subscriber side 6 for sending a message thereto. All these functional features of the subscriber sides are also well known er se.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a system, generally designated 20, which is constructed and operated in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the same reference numbers indicate those components, which are identical in the systems 1 and 20, in order to facilitate understanding.
  • the system 20 presents connection between the ISP 2 (constituting a first network node) and the subscriber side 4 (constituting a second network node) through a telephone communication link 17.
  • the subscriber side 4 is typically provided with a modem 19
  • the subscriber side 4 comprises several external devices such as, a telephone 22a, a cellular phone 22b, a facsimile machine 22c and an external modem 22d, accommodated at different remote locations. It is understood, although not specifically shown, that each of the external devices 22a-22c is equipped with its own transceiver utility functioning like a modem device.
  • the essential feature of the present invention is the provision of a sub-system 24 installed at the ISP side 2 so as to be one of the stations of
  • the sub-system 24 represents a processor, generally at 26, formed by one or more computer devices and provided with a modem 27
  • the modem 27 may be an external modem coupled to the processor 26.
  • the system modem 27 is of the so-called
  • MODEM POOL i.e. comprises a lot of modems having a Caller ID detection feature, so as to identify the subscriber who has generated an incoming call.
  • the processor 26 comprises a detector utility 28, a memory 30, a signaling utility 31, a destination utility 32 and a time-out utility 34.
  • the processor 26 and the PC 18 are operated by suitable software executing a specific protocol between them.
  • This protocol inter alia allows the user at the subscriber side 4 to define the following: - Certain information (constituting predetermined data) of the subscriber's interest.
  • the predetermined data may be representative of a specific matter or any information coming from a specific subscriber, etc.
  • the existence of this data in the LAN 11 is to be detected by the detector utility 28; - A certain method of transmitting the indication signals.
  • method of transmission signifies a certain time period, or certain number and order of signals and pauses. This is kept in the database of the signaling utility 31 and is operated by the time-out utility 34; - Preferences regarding the transceiver utilities to which the indication signal is to be transmitted. This is kept in the database of the destination utility 32;
  • the detector utility 28 operates similar to known "sniffer means” or like filtering means to continuously track a data stream proceeding in the LAN towards the server 12 and detect any existing data representative of the information of interest. The existence of such data signifies a so-called “event” for the detector utility 28 to generate an indication signal in response to the "event”. It is important to note that, if the host facility side 2 is designed such that multiple servers are associated with different LAN segments, the processor unit 26 comprises a plurality of detector utilities, each associated with a corresponding one of the servers. The detector utility 28 is capable of detecting the "event", generating the indication signal, storing it in the memory 30 and actuating the signaling utility 31, time-out utility 34 and destination utility 32.
  • Each of the utilities 28, 30 and 32, as well as the system modem 27, may either be a stand-alone unit coupled to the processor 26 or be integral with the processor 26.
  • the signaling and time-out utilities 31 and 34 are the constructional parts of the modem 27.
  • the time-out utility 34 is a known means that can easily be installed in a computer of any known configuration or a modem of any known kind. It controls the process of dialing the other side, i.e. transmitting an outgoing call generated by the system modem 27 to the subscriber side 4. To this end, the time-out utility 34 waits a preset period of time, or a preset order of rings and pauses, and then hangs-up.
  • the time-out utility 34 may also control the receipt of an incoming call in a similar manner.
  • the time-out utility 34 is thus adapted for disabling the ISP side 2 at preset time after the outgoing or incoming call has been generated by the system modem 27.
  • the preset time period is set to be sufficiently short so as to prevent the connection between the ISP and the subscriber being effected. This will be described more specifically further below. It is understood that the provision of the signaling utility 31 is optional applied in such cases when a certain order of rings and pauses is desired for the indication signal.
  • the system 20 operates in the following manner.
  • the sub-system 24 is installed in the LAN 11.
  • the protocol between the ISP and subscriber sides 2 and 4 is set.
  • the detector utility 28 continuously tracks the data stream within the LAN 11 and, upon detecting the existence of the
  • the signaling utility 31 and destination utility 32 select the desired transmission of the indication signal and the desired transceiver utility (e.g. modem 19), respectively, and actuate the time-out utility 34 and the system modem 27.
  • the system modem 27 transmits the indication signal in the desired manner to the desired transceiver utility.
  • the indication signal generated by the processor 26 is representative of the "event".
  • the indication signal while being transmitted to the subscriber side through its transceiver utility (modem 19) indicates to the subscriber at the side 4 a reason for performing a certain action, such as:
  • FIG. 4 there is illustrated another example of a notification system, generally designated 120.
  • the system 120 presents the connection between the ISP side 2 and subscriber side 4a.
  • the protocol between the sides 2 and 4a defines the following additional feature:
  • the PC 118 comprises a time-out utility 134, a connection utility 135 and optionally a signaling utility 131.
  • the signaling and time-out utilities 131 and 134 operate similar to those of the processor unit 26, with respect to receiving signals coming from the ISP side 2, in accordance with the subscriber's choice.
  • the connection utility 135, it is typically a programming means (suitable software) which is responsive to the indication signal for actuating a specific application installed in the PC 118, i.e. running a specific program (e.g. electronic mail downloading), operating a certain file-transfer protocol (FTP) or the like effects.
  • FTP file-transfer protocol
  • a system constructed according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
  • the system 220 is generally similar to the system 120, but has a somewhat different design with respect to the subscriber side, designated 4b.
  • the subscriber side 4b is provided with a destination utility 132 functioning similar to that of the sub-system 24.
  • the destination utility 132 in response to the indication signal, actuates the modem 19 for transmitting the indication signal to another external device.
  • the destination and connection utilities 132 and 135, respectively may operate together so as to, activate a certain effect in the PC 218 and transmit the results thereof to another external device.
  • connection utility 135 activates a certain program for downloading the predetermined data, which is subject to the indication signal, and transmits it in the form of a message to the answering machine 22c. It is understood that the provision of the destination utility 132 assists the user at the subscriber side 4b to make timely changes with respect to his/her preferences regarding the external devices without intervention into the protocol, if desired.
  • the modem 19, signaling utility 131 and time-out utility 134 are integral with the PC 18. It is important to note that, generally, the signaling and time-out utilities can be constructional parts of the transceiver utility at the subscriber side. As to the external device, its provision is optional, providing the following conditions are present:
  • the transceiver utility at the subscriber side has indication means, such as ringing, that allows for indicating without establishing the connection between the transmitting and receiving sides; - the notification is to be transmitted off-line to a user at the subscriber side, whose presence is expected there.
  • the sub-system 24 presents the connection between the ISP and subscriber side.
  • the first node is constituted by the ISP.
  • the host facility side 2 may be associated with a bank server or like database application.
  • the processor unit 26 detects any changes that have occurred in the subscriber-associated bank record and notifies the subscriber.
  • the processor unit is preferably integral with the bank server, rather than being a part of the LAN, and the data stream to be checked is replaced by a certain database.
  • the transmission of the notification (indication signal) is initiated either by the processor unit 26, immediately after detecting the changes in the database, or by the subscriber who periodically generates a query signal addressed to the host facility 2, as will be described more specifically further below.
  • the system 320 is a so-called "security system” presenting the connection between a detector device 302 (constituting a first node) and a subscriber side 4 (constituting a second node).
  • the protocol between the detector 302 and subscriber side 4 states that the detector device 302 has to periodically indicate to the subscriber side 4 that the detector 302 and the connection between the detector and the subscriber side are in good working order.
  • the detector 302 is provided with a processing means, generally at 326, generally constructed similar to the processor unit 26 of the previously described examples, but distinguished in that the provision of the detector utility 28 is unnecessary.
  • the indication signal is to be generated by the processing means at certain time intervals (controlled by the time-out utility 34) and transmitted to the subscriber side through the modem 27 in the above-described manner.
  • the absence of the timely received indication signal at the subscriber side 4 (which is controlled by the time-out utility 134) indicates that no "event” occurs, i.e. that something is wrong either with the detector or with the communication link. If a "man in the loop" is expected at the subscriber side 4, the indication signal is transmitted off-line, and the "man” is responsive to the presence and absence of the indication signal to operate accordingly. Otherwise, the connection utility 135 is responsive to the absence and presence of the indication signal for activating certain effects, defined by the protocol.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a system, generally designated 420, presenting the connection between two subscriber sides 4a and 4c through a telephone communication link 17.
  • the subscriber side 4c constitutes a first node.
  • a personal computer 418 at the subscriber side 4c operates similar to the sub-system 24.
  • the processor 26 is associated with the PC 418, being integral with the PC 418 in the present example. Obviously, the processor 26 may be a separate unit coupled to the PC 418.
  • the processor 26 operates in accordance with a protocol between the subscriber sides 4c and 4a for transmitting indication signals from side 4c to side 4a.
  • the indication signal is indicative of the existence of certain data, which is either generated at the subscriber side 4c or arrives thereto through its LAN (not shown).
  • Fig. 8 there is illustrated yet another example of a notification system, generally designated 520, which, in distinction to the previously exemplified systems, provides the connection between two host facility sides 2 and 502.
  • both servers 12 and 512 are equipped with similar processing means 26 and 526, respectively, and a protocol is set between them.
  • the processor unit be associated with any host facility, it would preferably be a separate unit installed in the LAN at the host facility side, rather than being integral with its server.
  • no "man in the loop" is implied at least at either side 2 or 502. Therefore, the protocol between the servers supposes any applications or effects to be effected at least at one side in response to the indication signal coming from the other side.
  • the processing means 526 is integral with the server 512 and is provided with the connection utility 135.
  • Figs. 9a-9c illustrating different examples of the main principles of operation of a notification system according to the invention, for example the systems 120 (Fig. 4).
  • Fig. 9a exemplifies the so-called "Server Notification Mode”.
  • the processor unit 26 continuously checks a data stream in the LAN 11 (step 36) and upon detecting the existence of any "event" (step 38), generates an indication signal (step 40).
  • the protocol may state that such a "search for the predetermined data" is implemented by the processor unit 26 periodically, with certain time intervals.
  • the indication signal is also indicative of the kind of event detected, the so-called "subject" that can be presented by the transceiver utility or associated external device.
  • the detector utility 28 stores a record representative of the indication signal in the memory 30 (step 42) and concurrently actuates the destination utility 32 and optionally the signaling utility (steps 44 and 46).
  • the utilities 31 and 32 select the desired signaling and desired transceiver utility (constituting the subscriber identification code), respectively.
  • the system modem 27 generates an outgoing call signal and transmits it through the communication link (step 50).
  • the indication signal is transmitted either “on-line” (i.e. through continuous connection between the ISP and subscriber sides) or "off-line". Indeed, should such external device as a facsimile, printer or pager be selected, the on-line connection is required.
  • the external device to which the indication signal has to be transmitted is a personal computer, telephone or cellular phone
  • the "off-line" (i.e. free of charge) transmission is preferred.
  • the sub-system 24 whilst transmitting the indication signal to the system modem 27, concurrently actuates the time-out utility 34 (step 52).
  • the time-out utility 34 allows the outgoing call signal to be continuously transmitted, for example, for the duration of two rings, and then stops the transmission (step 53). It is appreciated that this preset number of rings may be desirably adjusted, being long enough for successfully accessing the remote location of the subscriber side 4, but not sufficiently long to allow connection between the ISP side 2 and the subscriber side 4.
  • the subscriber modem 19 receives this call signal (step 54) and generates an incoming call signal at the subscriber side 4, indicating thereby to the user at the subscriber side 4 whose presence is expected that the event has been detected (step 56).
  • the external device may be appropriately provided with an indication means (visual or vocal) for presenting the event's subject, for the user's convenience, as defined by the protocol.
  • the user at the subscriber side 4 himself decides whether or not to execute the "Client" software for "on-line" connecting to the ISP side 2, and operates his/her personal computer 18 accordingly. Turning now to Fig.
  • the subscriber side 4 if the subscriber side 4 is provided with the time-out utility 134, the latter, upon being activated (step 58) by the modem 19 in response to the received call signal and detecting that the outgoing call was interrupted after the preset number of rings (step 60), operates in a manner to receive a confirmation that the call comes from the sub-system 24.
  • the time-out utility 134 actuates the signaling utility 131 and modem 19 (step 62) for generating an outgoing call signal (step 64) addressed to the processor unit 26, and allows its transmission during a preset time period (or number of rings) (step 66).
  • the system modem 27 receives this call (step 68) and, upon identifying the subscriber side 4 (step 70), generates an incoming call indicative of a query signal coming from the subscriber side 4 (step 72).
  • the processor 26 operates in the manner described above with reference to Fig. 9a for generating and transmitting the indication signal to the subscriber side 4. If the subscriber side 4 is provided with the destination utility 132, the user may select the external device to "follow" him each time, if desired. In this case, upon receiving the specifically transmitted (or interrupted after a preset time period) call signal, the modem 19 promotes the transmission of the indication signal to the selected external device.
  • the time-out utility 134 is again actuated (step 76).
  • the absence of a reply from the ISP side 2 within a preset time period indicates to the user that no event has occurred and the "interrupted" call is not associated with the ISP side 2 (step 80).
  • the receipt of the reply from the ISP side 2 within the preset period of time confirms that the event takes place (step 81).
  • the subscriber modem 19 may have the "Caller ID" feature. In this case, the modem 19, upon identifying the processor unit 26, provides a specific ring, indicative that the call signal comes from the processor unit 26.
  • Fig. 9c illustrates the main steps of operation of the system 120 according to another example, so-called "Bi-Directional Polling Mode".
  • the protocol between the nodes 2 and 4 operates the node 4 to periodically (with certain time intervals) check over events with the first node.
  • the processor unit 26 continuously (or periodically, as the case may be) checks a data stream in the LAN and, upon detecting the existence of any "event", generates an indication signal and stores a record representative thereof in the memory 30.
  • the node 4 periodically (with certain time intervals) generates a query signal (step 82) and transmits it in the form of an outgoing call signal from the subscriber modem 19 (step 84) to the system modem 27 associated with the processor unit 26.
  • the generation of the query signal at the subscriber side 4 is operated by the time-out utility 134 in accordance with the protocol.
  • the time-out utility 134 is actuated (step 86) and operates in the above-described manner (steps 88 and 90) to prevent the connection between the subscriber and ISP sides.
  • the protocol may set that the transmission of the query signal is indicative of the identification code of the subscriber side 4.
  • the identification code is "345" and the timing of the outgoing call transmitted through the modem 19 is as follows: one-second-ring, three-seconds-pause, one-second-ring, four-seconds-pause, one-second-ring and five-seconds-pause.
  • the dialing mode from the subscriber side may utilize a so-called “Dual Tone Multiplexed Frequency" (DTMF) feature.
  • DTMF Dual Tone Multiplexed Frequency
  • the system modem 27 receives the call signal (step 92) and, upon identifying the subscriber side 4 (step 94), actuates the detector utility 28 (step 96) of the processor 26 for checking the memory 30 and the data stream in the LAN. If the existence of any "event" is detected, the processor 26 operates as described above. The presence or absence of a reply from the ISP side 2 within the preset time period indicates to the user that the "event" occurs or not, respectively (steps 98 to 101).
  • the protocol between the first and second nodes could be designed such that the connection is established automatically, upon detecting the existence of any relevant event.
  • the first user at the subscriber side associated with his "local" ISP needs to contact a second user associated with another "remote" ISP.
  • the simplest example of such a situation is that a user (constituting the first subscriber side) is located far from his own PC (constituting the second subscriber side) and needs to access a software application kept therein. This is achievable under the following conditions:
  • the PC i.e. external device having its own transceiver utility
  • the PC is a registered subscriber of a certain ISP;
  • the PC is equipped with the signaling utility 131, time-out utility
  • connection means 135
  • All these utilities operate in the above-described manner to indicate to the PC (relevant utilities installed therein) at the second subscriber side that there exists a reason for establishing the connection between the first and second sides.
  • the PC (its relevant utilities) at the second side in response to this notification, activates preset applications installed therein.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer And Data Communications (AREA)

Abstract

Ce système, qui permet de transmettre des notifications d'un premier noeud de réseau à un second par le canal d'une liaison de communication, comporte une unité de traitement, associée à au moins le premier noeud ainsi qu'un émetteur-récepteur. L'unité de traitement est à même de produire un signal d'indication adressé au second noeud, lequel signal est indicatif d'un événement donné défini par un protocole préétabli entre le premier et le second noeud. L'émetteur-récepteur, qui est relié à l'unité de traitement ainsi qu'à la liaison de communication, réagit au signal d'indication et le transmet, selon un processus prédéterminé, à au moins un équipement d'émission-réception du second noeud. Il n'est pas indispensable que les deux noeuds soient interconnectés en permanence.
PCT/IL1998/000334 1998-07-16 1998-07-16 Systeme et procede de transmission de notifications a des utilisateurs de reseau Ceased WO2000004682A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU83546/98A AU8354698A (en) 1998-07-16 1998-07-16 System and method for transmitting notifications to network users
PCT/IL1998/000334 WO2000004682A1 (fr) 1998-07-16 1998-07-16 Systeme et procede de transmission de notifications a des utilisateurs de reseau

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IL1998/000334 WO2000004682A1 (fr) 1998-07-16 1998-07-16 Systeme et procede de transmission de notifications a des utilisateurs de reseau

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000004682A1 true WO2000004682A1 (fr) 2000-01-27

Family

ID=11062342

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL1998/000334 Ceased WO2000004682A1 (fr) 1998-07-16 1998-07-16 Systeme et procede de transmission de notifications a des utilisateurs de reseau

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU8354698A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000004682A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0508138A2 (fr) * 1991-03-14 1992-10-14 Hitachi, Ltd. Méthode et système pour le courrier électronique
EP0736989A2 (fr) * 1995-04-06 1996-10-09 Rooster Ltd. Système et procédé de notification de courrier
EP0798899A1 (fr) * 1996-03-25 1997-10-01 Koninklijke KPN N.V. Méthode pour la notification de la présence des objets dans un serveur
EP0836301A1 (fr) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-15 AT&T Corp. Système d'appel e-mail
US5742905A (en) * 1994-09-19 1998-04-21 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Personal communications internetworking

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0508138A2 (fr) * 1991-03-14 1992-10-14 Hitachi, Ltd. Méthode et système pour le courrier électronique
US5742905A (en) * 1994-09-19 1998-04-21 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Personal communications internetworking
EP0736989A2 (fr) * 1995-04-06 1996-10-09 Rooster Ltd. Système et procédé de notification de courrier
EP0798899A1 (fr) * 1996-03-25 1997-10-01 Koninklijke KPN N.V. Méthode pour la notification de la présence des objets dans un serveur
EP0836301A1 (fr) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-15 AT&T Corp. Système d'appel e-mail

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Publication number Publication date
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